Hi Bob, welcome to the network! That is quite a background! Regarding your feedback, we have repeaters on the clnc/ground/tower freqs for ZLA (and Western US). If you're on a tower frequency, then you should hear the all the clearance/ground/tower interactions, including the pilots. If you're hearing approach/center level instructions as well, that means one controller is working everything and you won't hear those pilots as we don't have repeaters on the center freqs. Pilot readbacks on approach freqs are pretty short, that's why we don't have repeaters there. Otherwise, it starts to feel like a party line where you hear everything, all the time. The radio system configuration is a series of compromises for sure. The good news is we're working on improving our staffing configuration for weekends where we'll have a dedicated tower controller online (separate to the radar controller) as much of the time as possible.

In the mean time, just know that weekends are very busy in Socal. If you'd like something a little less chaotic, give the Western US area a try, or give Socal a try during the week. Sat/Sun in Socal is a very busy time for sure. And again, welcome!

I've had multiple occasions where I've made mistakes on PE, mostly minor but at least one that would've involved a phone number, and in every case the controller nailed the tone appropriate for the situation based on what I've heard with live ATC. I'd say in general pilotedge was the most powerful tool in my PPL training outside of actual flight time and I plan on completing the I-ratings as a primer before starting actual IFR training. Saving one hour of actual training is much more than a year subscription to PE so I can't say enough about the value.

The one challenge I do consistently have during really busy times is I end up on top of an airport before getting the handoff from approach to tower (not something I've run into outside but understandable given the coverage). I've found a few mentions on the forum that making a quick "SoCal Approach, Skyhawk x1234 is 5 miles south of El Monte" call is a good heads up, is that the proper/polite way to resolve?

nandrews0424 wrote:I've found a few mentions on the forum that making a quick "SoCal Approach, Skyhawk x1234 is 5 miles south of El Monte" call is a good heads up, is that the proper/polite way to resolve?

Absolutely. I’ve had this happen to me IRL and resolved it exactly as you mention. Part of my PIC responsibilities is situational awareness and knowing what I need to do and when it needs to be done. As an ATC, I don’t view that as polite or impolite, just simply getting the job done.

Just completed my first IFR x-country (KSBA-KMRY), after a few sessions flying circuits around the pattern . I'm an Private Pilot ASEL with an IFR rating who hasn't flown in decades. This was my first flight using pilot edge with P3D, and oh how the memories returned. Insane fun, I'm so glad I joined. Just one question, I was picking up the default sim ATC sometimes, didn't really bother me much but I was wondering if there's any way to disable it? Again, great experience, great fun, great application.

When meeting with my PPL CFI for the first time I bragged that I could run the radio stack on our first flight lesson with no issues. The airport is a towered Class-D. He, of course, quizzed me on the spot which I passed with flying colors! My CFI was stunned and very curious how about how I had learned... He will now be recommending PilotEdge to his other students who have "Mic Fright" and other communication issues! Thanks PilotEdge!

Been on PilotEdge a little over a year. I had recently moved from Colorado to the California central coast and my first IPC out here was a little rough to say it nicely. I got my instrument ticket back in Colorado, where there really is no such thing as non-icing IMC except for a few days a year. Never really took instrument flying that seriously since it basically didn't exist. Obviously, on the California coast, your instrument ticket is vital. The first instructor I met suggested I get back into flight sim to dust off my IFR training and when doing some research found PilotEdge.

I have been flying for more than 10 years now, but the last 14 months on PE has made me a better, safer and more confident pilot. A decent hardware setup, a realistic piston simulator like A2A and the extremely spot on ATC procedures on PilotEdge are almost better than real world training since I can put myself in way more stressful situations than I hope I ever have to encounter in real world flying. Thanks to PE, my second IPC in California was a non-event with little feedback from the instructor. So not only has PE made me a better and safer pilot, it has also saved me thousands of dollars of aircraft rentals and instructor time. For those that rent, fly in IMC and don't have the budget to fly as much as they wish they could, PE is a lifeline to staying in the air safely.

Thanks for helping to make flying affordable while also producing a qualify, professional service. Extra kudos to the controller usually on weekday evenings (from some of the jokes I've heard think he's from north of the border). Have yet to hear him get flustered when everyone decides to call in at once, is always patient with newbies and just an all around polite and professional guy.

Welcome to the network. I'm glad that the service has provided so much value and has helped you get back into r/w instrument flying. The controller you mention would be Shawn....and he is indeed unflappable.